MARRIED At First Sight star Gemma Rose Barnes has revealed alcohol addiction has “taken over” her life.
The UK contestant opened up about the disease in a candid post to her 98,000 Instagram followers.
Gemma Rose bravely revealed alcohol addiction has ‘taken over my life’ in candid post
She told fans she was in recovery and had a sponsor
Gemma Rose, 31, appeared on last year’s season of the E4 matchmaking show and was paired up with personal trainer Matt Murray.
Taking to social media to give fans an update on her life, she confessed she had something to share.
Gemma said: “Hi guys. I’m just coming onto Instagram to talk about something incredibly important and something that has been affecting my life for a really, really long time.
“I’ve been struggling with addiction and it’s taken over my life. This has been the hardest few years. I definitely think Covid was the biggest catalyst for all my problems.”
She went on: “I struggled to get better. I’ve been very, very poorly.
“Addiction is an illness. It’s a disease and there is just so much help available. My addiction has left me pushing away friends and family.
“Pushing people away that were closest to me and still mattered, isolated myself. It left me in a really dark place.
“I promised that I would always be open and honest, no matter how hard it is and this is hard.”
Gemma bravely continued: “It’s really hard admitting that you have a problem.
“I can’t live my life with this illness anymore. My life has become unmanageable.”
The reality revealed she had tried to recover from the illness by attempting to stop drinking altogether and although it worked for some time she found herself slipping back.
She went on: “I’m allergic to that lifestyle. It’s made me very poorly, mentally and physically.”
Looking stunning in a leopard print shirt with flawless make-up and hair, the reality star told fans she was now in recovery by taking part in the 12 steps of recovery programme and has a sponsor.
She told her fans: “It’s changed my life already.
“In this period I’ve reached out and asked for help from people who understand because they’ve been through it.”
Gemma’s fans were quick to congratulate her with messages of encouragement and support.
One person wrote: “Amazing I am 9 months sober , I’ve had 2 small hiccups I pulled straight back from well done Gemma you’re amazing keep strong.”
“Well done so inspirational. I’ve just completed the 12 steps, I love life again. Best of luck,” added someone else.
While a third follower penned: “Takes such bravery to openly talk about this one day at a time.”
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